7 Survival Tips for Summer Party Season

With
summer in full swing, a number of special celebrations are probably
about to populate your social calendar. Whether it’s a bridal shower, a wedding, or a birthday bash, you can easily celebrate life’s milestones with your friends and family and stick to your weight-loss
goals. Thanks to the abundance of vegetables and fruits available during this season,
there are likely to be plenty of South Beach Diet–friendly offerings at these festivities. And while there are also sure to be fried foods and other unhealthy dishes served, if
you’re equipped with strategies to overcome temptations you’ll be able to stick
to your healthy eating plan. To help you stay on track with your diet, follow these tips for surviving the summer party season.

Weeks Before the
Party…

Set realistic weight-loss goals. Stressing
over fitting into that summer dress or suit by party day? Don’t let the
countdown cause you to resort to extreme weight-loss measures. Remember, slow and
steady always wins the race, so don’t go to drastic lengths to lose weight
faster — you’ll only gain it right back. Instead, set a weight loss goal that you can feasibly reach within your given timeframe and then focus on other
big-picture goals, like preparing healthy, homemade meals, sticking to an
exercise routine, and making sure you’re getting enough quality sleep at night.
By turning your attention away from the number on the scale, you’ll improve
other aspects of your lifestyle that will help you lose weight faster and keep it off. And you’ll look and feel
great for that special event to come.

Consider
going to an exercise boot camp and commit to a workout routine. Whether you’re
stuck in a weight-loss plateau or want to burn more fat and calories, exercise
is the sure-fire way to make the pounds melt away and have you looking great for your upcoming event. Boot camps have programs for all levels of fitness
so beginners and seasoned athletes alike can start at an intensity that is
comfortable for them. Be sure to talk with your doctor before you make any
sudden changes in your level of activity, though, especially if you’ve been inactive or
are age 50 or older. Many people who have joined group exercise boot camps find
that they are better able to stick to an exercise routine and stay motivated
after they stop going. Can’t find a boot camp near you? Rally a group of your
friends and family members together and schedule a morning exercise session at
your local park. Working out with a group of people with similar goals will
incentivize you to keep up with your exercise routine and stay motivated.

Put
up visual cues to stay motivated. Hard to ignore that photo of the
polka dot bikini or pair of yellow swim shorts you’ve magnet-ed to the
fridge? Let them be a reminder to stay focused on your goal of wearing that
coveted swimwear, or that cocktail dress, or that smaller-size suit on party
day. Visual cues will help you stick to your healthy eating plan and exercise
routine. If the clothes idea doesn’t work for you, a goal number can also serve as a
visual reminder of the pounds you would like to lose. Put up photos and
magnets, carry key chains, or wear necklaces and stickers on your exercise shirts
or sneakers with that magic number. They’ll help keep you focused and put you
in a work harder mindset each time you see what you've committed to.

On
Party Day…

Enjoy
a healthy snack beforehand. Before you party it up, be sure to enjoy
a nutritious snack, like a handful of dry-roasted nuts and an apple, some
hummus and veggie sticks, or a South Beach Diet Snack Bar. By having a
satisfying protein- and fiber-rich snack before you head to a social event, you
avoid giving into temptations once you get there. If you’ve
already had your mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack on party day, better to
have a small third snack before going than to overdo it once you get to the event.

Bring
a healthy party platter to the celebration. If you’re
attending a party and are asked to bring a dish, why not take along some
delicious South Beach Diet–friendly fare for everyone to enjoy? Even if you’re
not assigned a dish, bring something that you can enjoy just in case the foods
at the party are not on your meal plan. Some dishes that are great for
entertaining are Roasted
Zucchini Bites, or our Summertime
Sweet Potato Salad.

Go
easy on the alcohol. At weddings and other parties that feature
open bars and servers walking around with trays of cocktails, it’s easy to
overdo it with alcohol. Our usual recommendation is one alcoholic beverage a
day for women and up to two for men, but you can splurge a little on a special
occasion. Red or white wine is your best bet, but you can also enjoy light beer
or a 1 1/2 ounce serving of spirits like gin, vodka, rum, Scotch, tequila, or
bourbon in a mixed drink (avoid sugary sodas and fruit juice as mixers). If a
toast is called for, do enjoy a small glass of champagne. Cheers!

Delight in dessert. Dessert
on the South Beach Diet? Of course. Dessert tables, and in some cases, buffets
at parties can present many temptations, but you can have your dessert and eat
it, too, if you stick with our "Three-Bite Rule": Take three bites and then
put your fork down for a few minutes;
you'll likely find that you are satisfied with just that amount of sweetness. If
you’re still tempted, simply leave the dessert and walk away.

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